Don’t be scared of Assessment Days – when you get involved, they’re actually enjoyable and good fun. Most top companies use this method to get the best talent – if you want a top job you need to get good at them.
Group Exercise
This is normally based on a scenario such as being stuck on a boat and coming up with rescue solutions, testing your ability to work within a team. Of course, not something that happens everyday but you get the idea! Two things normally come of this; 1. You take a leadership role, and adopt a strong verbal stance. 2. You sit back and listen, taking heed of everything that’s said to then implement your ideas. There isn’t really any wrong or right way on how to approach this – it comes down to your personality and what role you feel confident in implementing. Remember, shouting over everybody to voice your opinion will only show your lack of communication and reasoning skills.
Role Play
This is normally based on a scenario that is specific to the company or role you are applying for. For example, if you apply to a role that requires you to sell to Bars and Pubs, they may give you the task of selling their product into the Bar Manager (the Assessor). If you are applying to a managerial role, they may give you the task of dealing with a tricky situation with an employee – simple!
Testing
Most Assessment Days will include some form of Psychometric, Numerical, Literal and Verbal testing. Visit our useful links page where you can take some practice tests.
One on One Interview
They’ll want to get to know you better as a person on a one to one basis outside of the group. This will normally include a talk about your career to date based on your CV, and your presentation (if previously requested). It may be a competency based questioning interview, where you will be asked for specific examples of previous situations you have encountered – your Consultant will be able to forward examples of these questions to you. You can also download our Interview Preparation document to get advice on what to expect.
Presentations
Key pointers for presenting:
- Keep it short with bullet pointed content – allowing you to verbally interact and add detail, rather than reading the information.
- Don’t present at your audience, talk with them.
- Don’t show off with technology – your audience will concentrate on the big screen, not on what you are saying.
- Don’t reveal point-by-point – put the whole slide up and get on with it!
- Don’t use complex words you wouldn’t normally use. Most people won’t understand and it will turn them off.
- Understand your audience. The talk should appeal to them, not you.
Key Points
- Arrive with plenty of time to spare – it will give you a chance to go over and refresh on details. Arriving late will only fluster you, and give you a bad start to the day.
- If you can, stay in a Hotel close by to the venue – expenses may be covered by the company.
- Use the lunch and coffee breaks to have a chat with the Assessors – this shows interest in them and their business.
Each company’s Assessment Day will have a different structure, so it’s important you speak to your Consultant at James Partnerships beforehand to get a good understanding of what to expect so you can conduct thorough research.